East Africa Revenue Authorities launch a new e-cargo tracking system
The Kenya Revenue Authority has a unveiled a new e-cargo tracking system for the regions of Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya specifically, this is set to improve the trade relationship between the East Africa Region. ReCts ( Regional Electronic Cargo System ) has responses unit that is in real-time in all the three main terminal points, that is Nairobi, Kampala, and Kigali.
“Transit trade is an important element of any economy and we are glad to be the catalyst of this partnership. ReCts is one of the many innovations that TradeMark is supporting and which is geared towards easing and improving local and international trade in East Africa,” said Frank Matsaert, TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) CEO.
ReCts which was unveiled on the 24th is set to enable transporters to reduce their transit costs and increase the productivity of their fleet. Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda will seal loopholes that lead to revenue loss because of diversion of untaxed goods into the market. RECTs will eliminate the need for physical escort and monitoring of sensitive cargo, such as batteries, fuel, cigarettes. ReCts sets to reduce the transportation time by 2days which seem to be a good time frame to the business society.
KRA, URA, and RRA hope to work with other revenue agencies in the region to continue integrating their systems and further simplify trade. Speaking at the event, TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) Uganda Country Director Moses Sabiiti said, “The ReCts is building on the excellent results delivered by the first phase of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System in Uganda, which reduced transit days from an average of 6 days (December 2013) to 1.5days for truckers moving from Busia to Elegu (the border with South Sudan.) TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) is grateful to the UK Government for funding the automation of URA that forms the backbone of URA transformation. The support has enable URA to improve capacity in business process management through automation of all customs stations and training. TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) will further support GOU implement a comprehensive cross-border strategy that will increase participation SMEs and women so they can benefit from these trade interventions”.
